Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-15
Promotion in Public Schools.

1t is not unnatural that after year of
hard study and drill. the pupils in our
public schools look forward with anticipa-
tons of receiving the reward which gen.
orally is bestowed upon them at the close
of the summer term. Some are confident
OF receiving promotion cards others hope
that they may acquit themselves at the
examinations well enough to obtain the
desired honor and yet there is fear that
they may fail; they recognize their
deficiencies and secretly acknowledge
their inability to successfully pursue the
course of study should they be so
fortunate as to make a stroke at examina-
tons. But pride prevents them from
openly contessing their failings and
prompts them to use every possible means
TO accomplish this final task, and. it is to
be greatly regretted. but it is true. that
pride forces some to resort to those
methods which il discovered, bring the
blush of shame to the cheek.
Parents are in part to blame for this
hasty and crammed preparation for ex
animation. Negligent in keeping their
children at work steadily through the
term, when the final test arrives, they
incte them by various methods to make a
squirt for the goal, regardless of con-
sequences; they are so afraid
that some ones boys or girls will
surpass their boy or girl. that
they urge their children forward when
the children themselves know that it is
impossible by fair means to please their
parents. And it is not intrequently the
case that school committees, plying the
children and fearing that they may DIS
courage them by refusing promotion cards,
quietly shut their eyes to deficiencies and
pass them along. Nine cases out of ten
prove failures. Placed in an advanced
position, where everything is new. yet
based upon the studies of the preceding
year, the children struggle on,under great
disadvantages for while. and even If
they escape being dropped, never gain a
creditable position in their classes.
The great secret of the trouble lies in
placing too much stress upon this final
examination. In we'll regulated schools,
where the examinations come monthly.
each examination should be made
the test for the months work,
conditional to final promotion.
Such is not, however. the case.
These monthly examinations are passed
over as being simply routine. and not OF
much consequence. But make them con-
ditional. and the average of their average
results the immediate condition for pro-
motion. and there would ensue a very
healthful state of constant effort, resulting
in more thorough preparation tor the
succeeding year.
Prof. c c. Stetson. the superintendent
of the Auburn public schools, who has
given this matter considerable attention,
says in his annual report:
.sPupils and teachers have been convinced
that the committee carefully considered its
action and when it gave its word that pupils
could only be promoted when they had at.
taineda certain (fxed averaged) rank. they did
go with the intention of enforcing the rule.
Few things can more injure school than q
lax and shifting standard of promotion"
MIR. Stetson further says
1T is hopeful day for the schools when .
large majority OF parents are willing to &C.
cept decision that 10 unpleasant to them
and their children when sober second thought